Boomerang (2019)

Boomerang is at its best when Simone and Bryson are hanging out with their friends. [1/8 Feb 2019, p.81]

In its favor, the show feels less Boomerang: The Second Generation than Boomerang by way of Friends. ... Waithe has bejeweled her comical and rapid-fire dialogue with enough modern-day commentary to tell me this comedy isn't here to just play around with musty Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus stereotypes.

Grounded problems and observations about everyday human failings amuse through recognition and familiarity. This is in keeping with a generation conversant with a vocabulary of authenticity and self-exploration. ... What saves Boomerang from becoming too precious--despite Bryson’s trips into nostalgia and romantic idealism--lies in its other lead. Jackson plays go-getter Simone with charismatic ease.

While it’s not a home run out of the gate, there’s a lot to like about the show — enough, anyway, to keep up the chase.

There’s just enough recognizable DNA to appease fans of the original work, even as it feels distinct and modern enough (including more sexually frank scenes and conversations between the members of the group) to draw in the Simones and Brysons of the world who are sick of hearing Gen-Xers drone on about how great things were back in the day.